Dennis Eagle’s first all-electric refuge vehicle has gone into service in the UK

The first fully-electric refuse vehicle (eRCV) designed by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has gone into service in the UK. 

The Dennis Eagle eCollect vehicle uses a battery pack providing up to 300kWh of charge and a 200kW electric drivetrain. 

The vehicle has undergone two years of extensive safety and efficiency tests to check its safety and durability. 

Nottingham City Council were the first to purchase the vehicle but this was soon followed by Islington Council and Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Service.

The three councils hope that switching to electric refuse vehicles will enable them to reach their net-zero goals as well as helping them to reduce air pollution in the region. 

Dennis Eagle’s sales & marketing Director Richard Taylor said: ‘Such extensive testing requires a huge investment in time, money and resources and consequently, this is the hallmark of an OEM. It means our customers can feel totally confident that the eCollect will deliver what they are expecting in terms of safety, efficiency and operational costs.

‘The fact that we have reached the point where we can produce a 26-tonne vehicle for such an energy-demanding role also speaks volumes about how far electric vehicles have developed in recent years and how much more widespread they will become in the near future.’

Nottingham City Council’s assistant fleet manager Andrew Smith said: ‘The electric RCV is the Holy Grail of municipal vehicles and we have wanted one for years. So, to finally get our hands on them and put them into service emptying bins is very satisfying indeed.

‘Both our eCollects are in operation and both are out-performing the diesels they replaced. In the first few weeks, we have saved around 60 to 70 litres of diesel per truck per day.

‘Our eCollects have been going out at 6.30 am and finishing at around 1.30 pm, collecting a full load then a smaller one — up to 18 tonnes in total. But they’re coming back with 40% charge remaining. The vehicles are finishing quicker, shaving around an hour off the run time. So, all in all, we’re delighted with them.’

Photo Credit – Dennis Eagle